Collapsible frame structure for trampoline beds or the like



March 9, 1954 R. VERNiER 2,671,229

COLLAPSIBLE FRAME STRUCTURE- FOR TRAMPOLINE BEDS OH'THE LIKE Filed March 31, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet i Q a] Q I g Q o g s; r. a

Q INVENTOR A I 3 CINE l ERN/ER o i BY M v/ W ATTORNEY R. VERNIER COLLAPSIBLE FRAME STRUCTURE FOR March 9, 195.4

TRAMPOLINE BEDS OR THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 31, 1950 I INVENTOR RAG/NE VERN/ER ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE FRAME STRUCTURE FOR TRAMPOLINE BEDS OR THE LIKE 7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to collapsible and folding frame structures and has particular relation to a collapsible trampoline structure, but is also adaptable for use in folding beds, cots and the like. A trampoline is an apparatus used by acrobats which consists essentially of a mat mounted in a rigid frame by means of resilient members extending between the four edges of the mat and the corresponding surrounding sides and ends of the rigid frame.

The present invention is an improvement in the folding construction of a trampoline framework, so that it can be readily folded and unfolded, and when unfolded will be sufficiently rigid to withstand the severe stresses to which it is subjected in use.

One object of the present invention is to provide a two legged trampoline which may be folded at or near the center of the frame with the mat tightly stretched thereon, and which may be unfolded to its working position without releasing the tension at the ends of the mat.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible trampoline structure which will permit and force the unfolding of the frame regardless of the normal amount of tension in the mat and normal amount of friction in the pivot connection or hinges. Another object is to provide such a trampoline structure which will give adequate support to the center of the trampoline and will withstand all normal stresses imposed by the performers.

A further object is to provide such a construction which will permit the linking of all bracing and leverage elements together in such manner as to require no extra movements to adjust or fasten the trampoline other than the essential simple unfolding movement.

These and other objects of the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

Thus, the present invention is generally directed to a collapsible trampoline structure or the like comprising, in combination, a pair of opposing U-shaped frame members, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on said frame members, a pair of center truss members mounted between and connecting said frame members, said frame members being pivotally connected to said center truss members, and link members pivoted at their respective ends to said center truss members and to said legs. In a preferred embodiment the foregoing structure includes bracing means pivoted to and connecting the foldable legs and the frame members. In the form shown, the bracing means,

includes a toggle lever intermediate its ends. In the form shown, the center truss members each comprise a pair of interconnected vertical struts. In the form shown, the interconnection of the vertical struts is accomplished by a pair of spaced horizontal members. More particularly, the

present invention is directed to a collapsible trampoline structure or the like comprising, in combination, a pair of opposing U-shaped frame members terminating in abutment ends, a pair of legs pivotally mounted on said frame members, a pair of center truss members terminating in abutment ends and mounted between and connecting said frame members, said frame members being pivotally connected to said center truss members with their adjacent ends in abutting engagement to form a continuous frame structure in the unfolded position, pivoted at their respective ends to said center truss members and to said legs. In the form shown, the sides of the main frame members are formed by two parallel elements in side by side relation and the upper horizontal truss members are formed by two parallel elements so that in the unfolded position, the parallel elements of the side members are in alignment with the parallel elements of the truss members.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view in photographic perspective showing a trampoline embodying the present invention in the unfolded position;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view in photographic perspective showing the device illustrated in Fig. 1 in the partially unfolded position;

Fig. 4 is a side view diagrammatically showing the device in the collapsed or folded position; and.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the device as shown in Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings, showing a preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a trampoline structure, the main frame designated at [0 comprises a pair of opposing U- shaped frame members Ila, lib, the side members of which are indicated at I211, I217.

A pair of 'U-shaped legs 20 are pivotally connected at their upper ends, as at pivots 2|, to the auxiliary frame members a, 60b, which are integral with and form a part of the sides l2a, IZb, respectively, of the main frame members I la, III).

In the form shown, a central truss frame structure, indicated generally at 30, is positioned in alignment between the main frame members I la, llb. The main frame members are connected at their adjacent ends I3a, I3b to a pair of pivot or hinge mountings 35a, 35b, which are respectively carried by a pair of depending vertical members 36a, 36b forming a part of the center truss frame. The vertical truss members 36a, 36b areinterconnected by a pair of upper and lower horizontal truss members 33 and 34, respectively, so thata rectangular center truss frame 30 is provided.

A link is pivotally connected at its lower end, as by pivot connection 41, to the leg 20 and is pivotally connected at its upper end, as by pivot connection 42:: positioned directly below the pivot connection 35c and on the center truss frame structure 30.

In the form shown, an end brace 50 is pivotally connected at its lower end, as by pivot connection 5|, to the leg and is pivotally connected at its upper end, as by pivot connection 52, to the main frame Ila. The end brace is provided below its center line with a toggle joint or locking hinge connection 53, which is adapted to permit the end brace to break toward the frame structure.

In the embodiment shown, the upp r horizontal portion of the center truss frame structure is provided with the upper cross member 3! which is adapted to be positioned in axial alignment with the sides 12a, 12b of the main frame when the device is in the unfolded position. Thus, in the unfolded position, the upper horizontal truss member 3| will be in abuttin engagement, as at 31a, 31b with the opposin ends 13a, lSb of the main frame.

Additionally, in the embodiment shown, a pair of auxiliary side frame members 50a, 6012 are secured integrally, as by welding, to the sides 52a, 12b of the main frame. Likewise, an auxiliary member 32 is integrally joined to the upper horizontal truss member 3 I. In the form shown, the auxiliary member 32 terminates at its ends 32a, 321) short of the ends l3a, 23b of the upper horizontal truss member 3|. Also, the opposing ends 61a. Gib of the auxiliary frame members Eta, 50b terminate inwardly of the ends i511, 43!) of the main frame members. Thus, in the unfolded position, the ends I 3a, [3b of the. main frame are in abutting engagement with the ends 31a, 31b of the upper horizontal truss frame member 3|. Likewise, the ends em, Bib of the auxiliary frame members 60a, 60b are in abutting engagement with the end portions 32a, 32b of the auxiliary truss frame member 32.

In the form shown, the auxiliary frame members 60a, 60b are directly connected to the pivotal connections or hinges 35a, 35b, which in turn are directly mounted on the vertical truss members 36a, 3%. Likewise, in the form shown, the lower pivot connections 42a, 42b, connected at the upper ends of the links 49, are directly mounted on the vertical truss frame memhers 36a, 36b. Thus, it will be apparent that the center truss frame structure 39 provides means for positioning the pivot connections 35a, 35b and 42a, 42b in the form such that they define the corners of a rectangle.

The main U-shaped members Ila, Nb and the upper horizontal truss frame members 3.9 define a rectangularly shaped main frame, when the trampoline structure is in the unfolded position, which frame carries a bed or mat "Ill supported by resilient cords H. In the embodimentshown, the mat! and resilient cords 1.! may be replaced by a conventional canvas and spring structure. In the form shown, the cords 1| are directly attached to a continuous resilient cord 12 which carries the mat is all along its edge. In the form shown, the mat comprises inter.- woven straps M, as of canvas, which are glued together .at each overlapping portion by means of a flexible glue.

Thus, by ine ns the upper end .of the link .40 to the lower end center truss frame, as at 42a, and by pivotally connecting the lower nd of the n to he leg .51. as ate], considerable force is exerted on the truss frame 30 which forces it into the unfolding position when the leg 40 is swung away from its folding position parallel to the main frame 10. In an actual working apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention, it has been found that the weight of the. leg. when the frame is lifted from the floor was sufificient to force the structure into the unfolded position; whereas, without the present linkage arrangement, it was generally impossible for two operators to accomplish this movement. Also, the toggle joint 53 provides a substantial additional force to spread the legs 5| from the frame during the unfolding movement. Th by virtue of the. omb n d i k and to gle brace arran ement, a slight exe t o at t e gl r es nab es um ien p s u e to be exerted at the center truss frame to overom th most stu bo n resi tance; h i en to the point of shearing the pivot connections 354 or 42a from the en er truss fra It will be noted that the present structure onbi es t e n po ati n of a r s a in the complete linkage arrangement from the floor support at the leg 5!, through the lint; E0 and center truss frame 3!} continuing back through the pp sin ink at. th op osin ee, th nc to the e d b e be ween t l g and ma n fram d hen e th ou h th en ire rame nd alo the opposing end brace back to the leg El.

n operation. t n old a rampo ine st uctu of t e p esent ntion, t o opera o s and t opposite corners and grasp the frame near the floor, following which they pull away from each the h a l -i s m ement Thu by t i pe ati n t uctu e is unfo ded from the position shown in Figs, i and 5 to the position shown in vFig. 3. During the unfolding movement, the legs 5! drop to the support position, as shown in Fig. 3, and the end braces 5!] unfold at the pivot connection 53 as shown, Upon the completion of the single, continuous unfolding movement, the main frame assumes the horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1 with the center truss frame lowered so that the upper horizontal member 3! and its parallel auxiliary member 32 are in alignment with the main frame members i la, i ii) and the auxiliary frame members 59a, 69?), their adjacent ends being in abutting engagement. Also, in the unfolded position, the Wi g e joint 53 is locked against further swinging movement as shown in Fig. 1.

In ollapsin the struct e as sh wn in Fi 1, two operators stand at their respective ends of the structure and force the toggle joint and brace 56 inwardly past its hinge center to break t to gl jo nt and at he same me gra the ter t uss f ame v a d o e it upwa dl thereby i in the t am o ine st u tu e clear of the floor. At this s ge the structure assum s t e'posit on shown in Th s perm t th ends of the frame structure to contact the floor and be further collapsed to the position shown in i s. 4 and Th ini al stage of the unf d ng m vement and th f na sta e of the d ng move nt ar imp oved in the as o operation by providing a set of casters at the ends of the frame Structure which contact the floorflhu th embodi ent sh wn, h cas ers 8,5 are fastened to the ends ,of the auxiliary am members 50a, Bill which project slightly eyond-the outer edsesof the main frame structure .Ija, Jib.

While the invention has bee d sc ibed i h form ofa trampoline. it will be understood that the invention, as disclosed and claimed, may be utilized in beds, cots and the like, and it is intended to cover use of the invention in all such devices.

While the invention has been described and disclosed in the form of a provided embodiment, it will be apparent that various departures may be made by those skilled in the art and it is intended that all such modifications shall be covered as one within the sphere and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A collapsible trampoline structure or the like comprising, in combination, a pair of opposing U-shaped frame members terminating in abutment ends, a pair of legs pivotally mounted about midway along the sides of said frame members, a pair of center truss members terminating in abutment ends, said truss members being mounted between and connecting the abutment ends of said frame members, said frame members being pivotally connected to said center truss members with their adjacent ends in abutting engagement to form a continuous frame structure in the unfolded position, rigid link members pivoted at their respective ends to said center truss members and to the base end of said legs, and bracing means hinged to and connecting the base end of said legs and the outer end of said frame members.

2. A collapsible trampoline structure or the like comprising, in combination, a pair of opposing U-shaped frame members terminating in abutment ends, a pair of legs pivotally mounted about midway along the sides of said frame members, a pair of center truss members terminating in abutment ends, said truss members being mounted between and connecting the abutment ends of said frame members, said frame members being pivotally connected to said center truss members with their adjacent ends in abuttin engagement to form a continuous frame structure in the unfolded position, rigid link members pivoted at their respective ends to said center truss members and to the base end of said legs, and toggle lever bracing means hinged to and connecting the base end of said legs and the outer end of said frame members.

3. A collapsible trampoline structure or the like comprising, in combination, a pair of U- shaped frame members positioned in a common horizontal plane with their free ends in opposed spaced relation when the structure is in open, horizontal position, a pair of center truss members mounted between the said free ends of the frame members and in abutment therewith to form a continuous frame structure in open, horizontal position, said free ends of said frame members being pivotally connected to the said truss members, a pair of legs pivotally mounted about midway along the sides of said frame members, and rigid link members pivotally connected at their respective ends to said center truss members and to the base end of said legs, said base end pivotal connection of the link members being positioned below the pivotal connection of the link member with the truss member and outwardly beyond the pivotal connection of the legs and frame members.

4. A collapsible trampoline structure or the like comprising, in combination, a pair of U- shaped frame members terminating in abutment ends, a pair of legs pivotally mounted about midway along the sides of said frame members, a

pair of center truss members terminating in abutment ends, said truss members being between and connecting the abutment ends of said frame members, said frame members being pivotally connected to said center truss members with their adjacent ends in abutting engagement to form a continuous frame structure in the unfolded position, and rigid link members pivoted at their respective ends to said center truss members and to the base end of said legs.

5. The combination set forth in claim 4 including a frame element integrally secured to the outer side of each side element of the said U- shaped frame members and a frame element integrally secured to the outer side of each truss member, the ends thereof being in abutment in the open, horizontal position with the inner ends of said first frame elements, the abutment positions thereof being horizontally ofiset from the abutment positions of the inner ends of said U-shaped frame members with their respective truss members.

6. The combination set forth in claim 4 wherein the center truss members comprise a vertically positioned rectangular frame, the said frame members being pivotally connected to the upper corners of the said truss frame and the said link members being pivotally connected to the lower corners of said truss frame.

7. A collapsible trampoline structure or the like comprising, in combination, a pair of U-shaped frame members terminating in abutment ends, a pair of legs pivotally mounted about midway along the sides of said frame members, a pair of center truss members terminating in abutment ends, said truss members being between and connecting the abutment ends of said frame members, said frame members being pivotally connected to said center truss members with their adjacent ends in abutting engagement to form a continuous frame structure in the unfolded position, rigid link members pivoted at their respective ends to said center truss members and to the base end of said legs, a frame element integrally secured to the outer side of each side element of the U-shaped frame members and a frame element integrally secured to the outer side of each truss member, the ends thereof being in abutment in the open, horizontal position with he inner ends of said first frame elements, the abutment positions thereof being horizontally offset from the abutment positions of the inner ends of said U-shaped frame members with their respective truss members, the outer ends of said first frame elements extending beyond the outer end of said U-shaped frame members and carrying roller casters for supporting the trampoline when in folded position.

RACINE VERNIER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,109,406 Dolge Sept. 1, 1914 1,230,736 Lowy June 19, 1917 1,265,848 Wheeler May 14, 1918 1,434,100 Greasy Oct. 31, 1922 2,370,990 Nissen Mar. 6, 1945 2,513,168 Gottlieb June 27, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 174,315 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1935 

